tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/world/thailandThailand - Activity on GOV.UKHM Government2016-12-01T08:02:00+00:00tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3456422016-12-01T08:02:00+00:002016-12-01T08:02:00+00:00World location news article: British Embassy Bangkok support to LGBTI Groups in South East AsiaOn 27 November the British Embassy in Bangkok, in close partnership with APCOM and Stonewall U.K., hosted a panel of LGBTI activists.<div class="govspeak"><p>The activists from Burma, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand discussed the challenges facing their communities. APCOM, a Bangkok-based coalition of campaign groups from across the region, arranged the event. Margaret Tongue, the British Chargé d’Affaires, spoke highlighting the UK’s strong support for LGBTI communities and rights. You can read <span id="attachment_1840887" class="attachment-inline">
<a href="/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/573853/speech_-_ILGA_panel.pdf">her remarks here [speech-ILGA panel]</a>
(<span class="type"><abbr title="Portable Document Format">PDF</abbr></span>, <span class="file-size">162KB</span>, <span class="page-length">2 pages</span>)
</span>
.</p>
<p>The panel preceded a larger reception at the British Ambassador’s Reception, again in partnership with APCOM and Stonewall UK, to mark the holding of the International Lesbian and Gay Association’s (ILGA) 28th World Conference in Bangkok and APCOM’s 10th Anniversary. The reception included the premier of APCOM’s animated film about the Yogyakarta Principles and floating Rainbow Kratong lanterns on our lake.</p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/3413982016-10-13T16:03:21+01:002016-10-13T16:03:21+01:00News story: Foreign Secretary's message of condolence on the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol AdulyadejBoris Johnson has offered his condolences to the people of Thailand following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.<div class="govspeak"><p>The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">I am greatly saddened to hear of the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was greatly respected at home and around the globe for his wisdom and dedication. I offer the people of Thailand and the Royal family my profound sympathy at this sad time.</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="contact " id="contact_193">
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<h3>Media enquiries</h3>
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<p class="email">
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<a class="email" href="mailto:newsdesk@fco.gov.uk">newsdesk@fco.gov.uk</a>
</p>
<p class="tel">
<span class="type">News Desk </span>
020 7008 3100
</p>
</div>
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</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:NewsArticlePresenter/3414262016-10-13T15:56:26+01:002016-10-13T15:56:26+01:00Press release: Prime Minister's statement on the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of ThailandPrime Minister Theresa May gave a statement following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.<div class="govspeak"><p>Prime Minister Theresa May said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I would like to express my sincere personal condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand on the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.</p>
<p>His Majesty guided the Kingdom of Thailand with dignity, dedication and vision throughout his life. He will be greatly missed.</p>
<p class="last-child">Our thoughts are with the people of Thailand at this difficult time.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3408872016-10-07T05:48:00+01:002016-10-07T05:48:00+01:00World location news article: Remembrance Day Service 2016 in BangkokThe annual Remembrance Day Service at the British Embassy in Bangkok will be held at 10:50am on Sunday 13 November 2016.<div class="govspeak"><p>The event will not only commemorate British, Commonwealth, and allied personnel, but all those who have been affected in all conflicts. It serves as a reminder that nations who fought so bitterly against each other can come together to promote peace and stability in the modern world.</p>
<p>If you would like to attend, please download and fill in the <span id="attachment_1816267" class="attachment-inline">
<a href="/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/558600/Response_Form.pdf">Response Form</a>
(<span class="type"><abbr title="Portable Document Format">PDF</abbr></span>, <span class="file-size">100KB</span>, <span class="page-length">1 page</span>)
</span>
and then email to <a href="mailto:Remembrance.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk">Remembrance.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk</a> by 08 November 2016. Please include the full names of all those who are planning to attend. You will then be sent further information.</p>
<p><span id="attachment_1816268" class="attachment-inline">
<a href="/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/558601/BRITISH_EMBASSY_SERVICE_OF_REMEMBRANCE.pdf">Programme of Remembrance Day Service</a>
(<span class="type"><abbr title="Portable Document Format">PDF</abbr></span>, <span class="file-size">50KB</span>, <span class="page-length">1 page</span>)
</span></p>
<h3 id="sale-of-poppies">Sale of poppies</h3>
<p>Poppies will be on sale for members of the public at the British Embassy (Wireless Gate) from Thursday 27 October until Sunday 13 November 2016.</p>
<h3 id="history-of-the-poppy-appeal">History of the Poppy Appeal</h3>
<p>On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the First World War ended. Civilians wanted to remember the people who had given their lives for peace and freedom. An American War Secretary, Moina Michael, inspired by John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders’ Fields”, began selling poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-Service community. The Legion adopted the poppy for its fundraising in 1921 - and so the tradition began.</p>
<p>Poppy Factory In 1922 Major George Howson, a young infantry officer, formed the Disabled Society to help disabled ex-Service men and women from the First World War. Howson suggested to the Legion that members of the Disabled Society could make poppies, and the Poppy Factory was subsequently founded in Richmond in 1922. The original poppy was designed so that workers with a disability could easily assemble it and this principle remains today.</p>
<h3 id="british-embassy-cenotaph">British Embassy Cenotaph</h3>
<p>The names of 25 personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country are inscribed on the Cenotaph in the grounds of the British Embassy, Bangkok. One such individual, Lt. William Reginald Dibb left a relatively peaceful life in northern Thailand while in service of the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation to return to England in order to join the Royal Field Artillery, a service in which he lost his life in France in 1918. This compilation was taken from a blog which was also dedicated to the loving memory of the writers’ mother, Malee Wattananikorn, Lt. William Reginald Dibb’s youngest daughter. She died on April 6th 2012 at the age of ninety-seven, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai military personnel are commemorated on a Monument to those who lost their life.</p>
<h3 id="expeditionary-force">Expeditionary Force</h3>
<p>The Monument in Bangkok is a memorial to the Thai soldiers killed on the Western Front in World War I.
It’s not widely known that Thailand deployed an expeditionary force to fight on the side of the Western powers during the Great War in Europe 1914 – 1919. At the northern edge of Sanam Luang near the National Gallery, there’s a neat garden with well trimmed hedges.</p>
<p>In the center stands a white four-sided structure topped with a chedi-like spire. The names of the 19 fallen service personnel are inscribed on the monument.</p>
<h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2>
<p>Follow British Ambassador Brian Davidson on twitter <a rel="external" href="https://twitter.com/brijdavidson">@brijdavidson</a>
Follow the British Embassy Bangkok on Twitter <a rel="external" href="https://twitter.com/ukinthailand">@ukinthailand</a> and <a rel="external" href="https://www.facebook.com/ukinthailand">UK in Thailand Facebook</a></p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3391952016-09-14T09:09:57+01:002016-09-14T09:09:57+01:00World location news article: Launch of Alumni Awards 2017 in ThailandThe British Embassy and the British Council have launched the first year of three prestigious awards celebrating the UK alumni in Thailand. <div class="govspeak"><p>Alumni Awards are prestigious recognition for alumni who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries and celebrate their outstanding achievements. The awards also highlight the long-standing educational relationship between Thailand and the United Kingdom and emphasise the British Council’s mission to support the future leaders.</p>
<h3 id="there-are-three-award-categories">There are three award categories:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Professional Achievement Award;</li>
<li>Entrepreneurial Award;</li>
<li>and Social Impact Award.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Alumni Awards are open to alumni currently residing in Thailand who have studied in the UK, at an officially recognised provider of UK university degree level study, within the last 15 years. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying in the UK to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries. Alumni can apply themselves or be nominated for the awards from 7 September 2016 through the <a rel="external" href="http://www.britishcouncil.org/education-uk-awards/enter">British Council website</a>. Nominations and applications close on 31 October 2016. Award nominees are announced in December and the winners will be announced at prestigious award ceremonies on 14 January 2017.</p>
<p>The British Council organises the Alumni Awards to create global networks for UK alumni with access to influential change-makers and to support university alumni relations around the world. Thailand is one of the 14 locations honoured to be hosting the Alumni Awards 2017: Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey and the USA.</p>
<p>Brian Davidson, British Ambassador to Thailand said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">I am very pleased to offer my personal support to the Alumni Awards 2017. I am hugely impressed by the calibre of UK alumni in Thailand and I attach great importance to maintaining the link with alumni. The Awards are a great way to help achieve that. I know we will see lots of outstanding applications across all three categories.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mr Andrew Glass, OBE, Director, British Council Thailand said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">the awards are all about finding and sharing the exceptional stories of UK alumni. We are delighted to be celebrating the tremendous achievements and contribution made by UK university alumni in Thailand who have used their experience of studying in the UK to make a positive impact on their professions, communities and wider society. We look forward to celebrating and sharing their inspirational stories and supporting them as the future leaders.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3390012016-09-14T08:15:48+01:002016-09-14T08:15:48+01:00World location news article: The Newton Fund promotes UK-Thai astronomical collaboration researchThe Newton UK-TH Research and Innovation Partnership Fund launched the first £1.3 million or THB 60 million for promoting joint astronomical research.<div class="govspeak"><p>At least 4 projects on capacity building in software and hardware infrastructures and data handling will be funded after scoping workshop in Bangkok.</p>
<p>On 12 September 2016, the three-day STFC-NARIT Scoping Workshop began with the MOU Signing Ceremony for astronomical research collaboration between the <a rel="external" href="http://www.stfc.ac.uk/">Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)</a> and the <a rel="external" href="http://www.narit.or.th/en/">National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)</a> as a delightful symbol of the beginning of collaboration in fields of Astronomy.</p>
<p>The workshop, in which 14 UK and 18 Thai researchers participated, aims to create collaboration and partnership among UK and Thai researchers in capacity building in software and hardware infrastructures and data handling through astronomy. During the workshop, attendees will share, discuss, and later develop outline project proposals focusing specifically in mechatronics, VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry), data handling and outreach to support STEM subjects in schools. Ultimately, the workshop offered a great opportunity for those project proposals to be funded.</p>
<p>Margaret Tongue, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Bangkok, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">It is anticipated that the funded projects will use a range of mechanisms, including training and exchange programmes for PhD students, early career researchers, computer programmers, engineers, technicians and outreach to create a long-term impact on technological and scientific revolutions underpin economic advances and improvements in education and infrastructure.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Prof. Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, Executive Director of NARIT, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">The MoU between NARIT and STFC is a new collaborative effort that allows both parties to explore the areas of cooperation that both parties are capable of. Together with the Newton Fund, NARIT and STFC are creating new synergy that brings in projects with great impact and breakthrough for both countries. It is not only Astronomy that will see great benefits from the Newton Fund, but also other industries will also share the knowledge gained through technology transfer and spinoffs stemming from these aforementioned projects.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Prof. Grahame Blair,STFC Executive Director of Programmes, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">The UK is one of the world leaders in astronomy research and through support from STFC the UK is a key global player in the breakthroughs that continue to improve our understanding of the cosmos. This new collaboration with Thailand is a wonderful example of where the UK is working with international colleagues to spread best practice in research and at the same time create new and lasting relationships with fellow researchers overseas to the benefit of all.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2>
<h3 id="about-the-newton-fund">About the Newton Fund</h3>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.newtonfund.ac.uk/">The Newton Fund</a> builds scientific and innovation partnerships with 16 partner countries to support their economic development and social welfare, and to develop their research and innovation capacity</p>
<p>for long-term sustainable growth. It has a total UK Government investment of £735 million up until 2021, with matched resources from the partner countries.</p>
<p>The Newton Fund is managed by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and delivered through 15 UK Delivery Partners, which include the <a rel="external" href="http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/">Research Councils</a>, the UK Academies, the <a rel="external" href="https://www.britishcouncil.org/">British Council</a>, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-ukand">Innovate UK</a> the <a rel="external" href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">Met Office</a>.</p>
<p>The Newton UK-Thailand Research and Innovation Partnership Fund was officially announced on 13th January 2015 during the visit of FCO Chief Scientific Advisor to Thailand. Presently, there are 17 funding organisations (9 UK organisations and 8 TH organisations) develop and run calls, and allocate and manage the money they receive as part of the Newton Fund. 12 funding programmes are available for Thailand. Since 2015, more than £10 million was funded to 1,050 Research &amp; Innovation (R&amp;I) personnel in Natural Sciences, Engineerings, Social Sciences and Humanities and more than 20 large-scale joint research projects in Health, Agriculture, Energy, Environment &amp; Natural Resources and STI policy.</p>
<h3 id="about-newton-astronomical-research">About Newton Astronomical Research</h3>
<p>Capacity Building in Software and Hardware Infrastructures and Data Handling through Astronomy</p>
<p>Astronomy is a unique and cost-effective way to further economic development because technological and scientific revolutions underpin economic advances and improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure. National research programmes in astronomy inspire the young to enter careers in science and technology. This not only creates an immediate impact on skills and training by encouraging students to study science and engineering, and equipping students with skills that can be exploited in other sectors leading increased economic development but it pushes the boundaries of science and technology and so supports the growth of a high-technology economy.</p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.stfc.ac.uk/">The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)</a> is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar.</p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.narit.or.th/en/">NARIT</a> is developing infrastructure and capacity in astronomy and astrophysics, including the development of several robotic telescopes and a Thai VLBI Network (TVN). The skills needed for high accuracy modern telescope control systems and radio astronomy are eminently transferable to high-tech industries. For example, the high precision mechatronics skills needed for telescope control systems could provide considerable benefit to Thailand’s industries in areas such as automobile control systems and high precision machining (e.g. computer controlled cutting).</p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3375642016-08-24T10:42:00+01:002016-08-24T10:42:00+01:00World location news article: British Embassy, Office of the Basic Education, British Council and TFRD launched the Smashed ProjectLaunch of the Smashed Project to break underage drinking through entertaining theatre-in-education performance.<p><em>Updated:</em> Added translation</p><div class="govspeak"><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/world/thailand">British Embassy Bangkok</a>, <a rel="external" href="http://www.obec.go.th/">The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC)</a>, the <a rel="external" href="https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en">British Council (Thailand)</a> and the Thai Foundation for Responsible Drinking (TFRD) have come together in the launch of the ‘Smashed Project – Breaking Underage Drinking’, a creative theatrical experience consisting of interactive workshops designed to affect behavioral change among youth and reduce underage alcohol consumption. The project is in line with OBEC’s ‘Moderate Class More Knowledge’ policy and will be piloted in 40 schools in Bangkok from August to December 2016, with over 4,000 students forecasted to benefit from this innovative educational project.</p>
<p>The Smashed Project was originally initiated in the UK in 2004 to help reduce underage drinking through performing arts and interactive workshops, with robust evaluation methods. The project has been recognized by the UK Government and garnered a good practice award. To date, the Smashed Project has reached 250,000 youths in the UK and has continuously expanded globally to Northern Ireland, Vietnam, Jamaica, Mozambique, and Taiwan. Thailand is the latest addition to this list.</p>
<p>Margaret Tongue, Chargé d’ Affaires, British Embassy Bangkok addressed:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">We are committed to working together to protect young people from underage drinking and to lay the foundations for a life-long responsible attitude towards alcohol. The Smashed Project has proven successful in achieving these goals in many countries, including the UK. I am delighted to see the launch of the Smashed Project in Thailand through the public private partnership between the British Embassy, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the British Council and the Thai Foundation for Responsible Drinking.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mr. Amnat Wichayanuwat, Assistant Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">The Government’s policy in creating tangible education reform focuses on various activities to better prepare students with knowledge and skills for the ever-changing 21st century. In this vein, the Ministry of Education has devised the ‘Moderate Class More Knowledge’ policy, to shift traditional education activities to more effective, self-directed learning comprised of diverse out-of-classroom activities. The Smashed Project not only promotes self-directed learning among youth, but brings together analytical and life skills in a powerful format which enables students to recognize the negative impacts of underage drinking. The project therefore aligns with “Moderate Class More Knowledge” objectives.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mr. Prin Malakul Na Ayudhaya, President of Thai Foundation for Responsible Drinking (TFRD) revealed:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">The Smashed Project is a part of TFRD’s commitment to the Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol by the World Health Organization; in which the foundation has continuously and earnestly worked with partners from public and private sector to provide educational programmes and campaigns with an emphasis on addressing three main issues; tackling drinking and driving, prevention of underage drinking, and education on responsible drinking. According to the findings by World Health Organization, Thailand has seen increasing numbers of new young drinkers. It is even more worrisome that approximately 50% of youths who consume alcohol beverages started drinking when they were less than 15 years of age. Therefore, underage drinking prevention must be handled at the very early stage. The Smashed Project has received favorable feedback in the UK; with 90.1% of students who participated in the project saying they learnt more about the risks of alcohol misuse, and 80% saying that they would avoid alcohol harm now or in the future. Additionally, outright prohibition cannot entirely prevent youths from underage drinking; TFRD is confident that the Smashed Project will also introduce and present to the participants the reasons to reject underage drinking, which is one way to bring about effective and sustainable solutions to underage drinking problems in Thailand.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mr. Andrew Glass, Director of British Council (Thailand) said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="last-child">British Council is the UK’s cultural relations organisation promoting world-wide opportunities and collaboration in Education, English, and Arts. The Smashed Project is another example where we collaborate with local partner organisations, bringing in the UK’s expertise in creative education and knowledge in the arts to effectively address social challenges. I hope that this project will have a strong influence on students’ perceptions and behaviour, and will help strengthen society.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>After its launch, the ‘Smashed Project – Breaking Underage Drinking’ will visit 40 schools in Bangkok during August to December 2016, and 4,000 students will benefit from the activity directly.</p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3360322016-08-04T05:07:00+01:002016-08-04T05:07:00+01:00World location news article: UK’s Prosperity Fund promotes public procurement transparency in ThailandThe UK’s Prosperity Fund grants £155,361 to UNDP to support Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department’s effort in promoting integrity and transparency in public procurement.<p><em>Updated:</em> Added translation</p><div class="govspeak"><p>On 3 August 2016, the British Embassy Bangkok hosted an exchange of letter ceremony and afternoon tea reception at the Ambassador’s Residence.</p>
<p>Welcoming delegates from the <a rel="external" href="http://www.th.undp.org/">United Nations Development Program (UNDP)</a> and <a rel="external" href="http://www.cgd.go.th">Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department</a>, the ceremony represented an acknowledgement between the respective organisations that improving transparency, professionalism and preventing corruption in public procurement not only contributes to a fairer and more competitive business environment in Thailand, but drives benefits for all its citizens.</p>
<p>The event initiates the latest project on ‘Improving transparency and preventing corruption in public procurement in Thailand’, which aims to provide technical support to the Royal Thai government in its efforts to reform the public procurement system, professionalise the public procurement workforce, and share Thailand’s experience with fellow ASEAN members.</p>
<p>Margaret Tongue, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Bangkok, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>As governments, we have an obligation to ensure our procurement practices are fit for purpose. Lengthy, complicated and opaque decision-making processes can make corruption more likely, so we should strive for the opposite.</p>
<p class="last-child">…we have been working closely with Thailand to drive up the standards of public procurement. The Thai government has said that it wants to ensure Thailand’s public procurement system is in line with best practice and international standards, and we welcome Thailand’s efforts on this agenda, including the draft Public Procurement Bill. We believe that Thailand has the capacity to become a regional example of proactive public procurement reform, which will not only enable an attractive business environment for trade and investment in Thailand, but act as a catalyst for promoting transparency within ASEAN.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ms. Chunhachit Sungmai, Advisor of Comptroller General’s Department, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We encourage transparency, accountability and efficiency in public procurement. Last year, fully electronic public procurement system has been developed and two new procurement methods were introduced, called e-market and e-bidding, which shall be interfaced with other related electronic system, such as Government Fiscal Management Information System and electronic banking.</p>
<p class="last-child">As you know that Thailand is on the process of drafting the bill on public procurement bill.…..The Bill focus on transparency, integrity and value for money. Integrity pact, as a tool for preventing corruption in public contract, has also been enacted in the Bill. This will not only improve efficiency, transparency and value for money, but also eliminate possibilities of corruption in the area of public procurement.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mr. Martin Hart-Hansen, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>UNDP’s effort to fight corruption is in line with Thailand’s desire to create corruption-free society. UNDP is now shifting focus from small activity towards a focus on systematic change to ensure that we, despite limited resources, can make real impact and our efforts are institutionalized and practiced further by the Royal Thai government.</p>
<p class="last-child">We are aware that we are only at the very beginning of the reform process. There are a long list of activities that will have to be developed, and more importantly be implemented consistently, before we can say that the reform was successful.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This project is one of a number of bilateral and regional projects funded by the new Cross-Government Prosperity Fund – the UK’s technical co-operation programme seeking to promote economic reform, development and prosperity in partner countries, creating conditions conducive to global growth.</p>
<p>Worth £1.3 billion over the next 5 years, the Fund’s priorities include improving the business climate, competitiveness and operation of markets; energy and financial sector reform; and increasing the ability of governments to tackle corruption. These reforms will drive sustainable development and create opportunities for international business.</p>
<p>In Southeast Asia, the Fund works with project implementers and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s network of overseas missions to support projects in its main markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines – providing technical assistance, building capacity and sharing UK expertise and experience.</p>
<h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-government-prosperity-fund-programme/cross-government-prosperity-fund-update">The Cross-Government Prosperity Fund</a></p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3355962016-08-01T05:11:00+01:002016-08-01T05:11:00+01:00World location news article: Thailand: Applications for 2017/18 Chevening Scholarships open from 8 AugustThe Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for 2017/2018 Chevening Scholarships from 8 August to 8 November 2016.<div class="govspeak"><p><a rel="external" href="http://www.chevening.org/welcome-to-chevening">Chevening Scholarships</a> are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers financial support to study for a master’s degree at any UK university and the opportunity to become part of an influential global network of 46,000 alumni. Visit <a rel="external" href="http://www.chevening.org/apply">Chevening website</a> to start preparing your application.</p>
<p>There are approximately 1,500 Chevening Scholarships on offer globally for the 2017/2018 academic cycle. These scholarships represent a significant investment from the UK government to develop the next cohort of global leaders.</p>
<p>Chevening Secretariat Director, Michael Scott-Kline, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Those who step forward to apply for a Chevening Scholarship are already demonstrating the kind of ambitious forward-thinking that typifies Chevening Scholars.</p>
<p>The potential rewards for applying are unquantifiable. Not only do scholars receive a first-rate UK education which can open doors in their respective careers, they also join a strong global network — a network they will draw on and contribute to for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p class="last-child">It is my pleasure to announce the opening of the 2017/2018 competition for Chevening Scholarships. Applying – or encouraging a friend to apply – may turn out to be the best decision you ever make. Everyone who has ever benefitted from being a Chevening Scholar has one thing in common — they had the ambition to simply apply.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.chevening.org">Chevening Scholarships</a> are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office">Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)</a> and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year master’s degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.</p>
<p>Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide (excluding the USA and the EU), and 1,500 scholarships were awarded in 2016/2017. There are over 46,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.</p>
</div>tag:www.gov.uk,2005:WorldLocationNewsArticlePresenter/3351532016-07-26T05:38:00+01:002016-07-27T06:04:29+01:00World location news article: UK Minister for International Trade to visit ThailandMark Garnier, newly appointed minister at the Department for International Trade, will visit Thailand from 27 to 29 July.<p><em>Updated:</em> Added translation</p><div class="govspeak"><p>During his visit he will meet Dr Suwit Maesincee, Deputy Minister for Commerce, to discuss a range of bilateral trade and investment between the 2 countries.</p>
<p>He will also meet Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, to discuss education co-operation. In April the UK and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) on an education partnership between the two countries.</p>
<p>The British Ambassador, Brian Davidson, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am delighted to welcome Mark Garnier to Thailand so soon after his appointment as a Trade Minister. He knows Thailand well from his previous role as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, and he has a real enthusiasm for the opportunities in this market.</p>
<p class="last-child">The UK remains active, outward facing and engaged in Thailand and across the region, and commercial ties are a central pillar of that partnership.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mark Garnier will also meet representatives from Thai and UK companies, to follow up the launch of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/launch-of-thai-uk-business-leadership-council">Thai-UK Business Leadership Council</a> in London earlier this month.</p>
<h2 id="about-mark-garnier">About Mark Garnier</h2>
<p>Mark Garnier was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade">Department for International Trade</a> on 17 July 2016. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2010.</p>
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